Merete Juhl got the message that a big explosion had hit her and the family’s hometown, as the phone began to bimle and bamle.
the Danish ambassador in Beirut is on vacation in Denmark, and was therefore not present when the disaster – as in the time of this writing has cost the lives of 73 people and wounded 3700 – occurred.
– I was of course very shocked. It is quite terrible, and I am deeply affected by it, she says to Ekstra Bladet.
Merete Juhl got a shock, when she heard the news about the explosion in his hometown. PER the Photo.
– The first thing I thought of, was, of course, my spouse, who is down there, and all the staff at the embassy. All are in good condition, but some have been treated for injuries, ” she says, and stresses that she has not gotten other reports about the cause of the explosion, than the, which the media reproduces.
Originally it was reported that there could be talk of an explosion in a large fyrværkerilager, reported the american tv station CNN, with reference to a lebanese news agency. But the country’s security chief, Abbas Ibrahim, said to the AFP that were stored high-explosive material at the port.
– Apparently there is a warehouse with material that was confiscated years back, and it seems that it was the high-explosive material, says the head of security services has.
the Explosion in the warehouse gave so great shaking, that it could be felt in Cyprus more than 200 kilometers away.
Firefighters are trying to extinguish one of the fires that occurred in the aftermath of the explosion. Photo: Ritzau Scanpix.
– How far is the embassy from the explosion?
the Embassy is located in the centre of Beirut, as it is very close to the port.
– We shall have taken stock of what is damaged there. But besides, there are also our homes.
– Many from the embassy live nearby, and it was very violent pressure waves, which was by the explosion.
the Explosion has struck in the heart of Beirut, which most of all looks like a war zone. Photo: Ritzau Scanpix.
Merete Juhl does not have the exact number of danes in Beirut, but says that it is ‘not very high’.
– Beirut is not an outright tourist destination, and at the same time, it is due to corona advised not to travel to Beirut.
– We have not had some inquiries from some danes, who have asked for help. So, at the present time, there is nothing to suggest that some danes are all right.
– Even if you sit far away right now, so is Beirut the your home. How does it feel to sit and watch?
– It is very strong, and you are deeply shaken. Beirut, which I love, has been hit straight in the heart.
And it happens just after a long series of challenges for Lebanon – the refugee crisis, the economic crisis and the corona. So it’s a very challenged country, who are now facing a new disaster.
Merete Juhl’s vacation ended at the same time that the explosion hit, and she must now return to Beirut.
And so the next step is that we will get an overview and understanding of what it will mean for our work and not least the security situation. It will be the first, we will deal with.
